The African Democratic Congress Presidential Campaign Council (ADC-PCC) has condemned the Kano State Police Command’s disruption of the “Tinubu Must Go” rally in Kano, describing the action as shameful, unconstitutional and a disturbing descent into authoritarianism.

In a statement yesterday by its Director of Media and Publicity, Kola Ologbondiyan, the council accused the police of violating Nigerians’ fundamental rights to peaceful assembly and freedom of expression, as guaranteed by the 1999 Constitution, as amended.

The rally, led by Abba Hikima and organised by concerned youths, was reportedly disrupted when police operatives barricaded the venue and allegedly intimidated participants. Despite the police action, the council said the youths demonstrated courage and determination by refusing to be silenced and insisting on making their voices heard.

The ADC-PCC expressed outrage at the reported arrest of the owner of the event centre for allegedly allowing the facility to be used for the gathering, describing the development as another troubling indication of the APC-led government’s intolerance of dissent.

It questioned why a business owner should face arrest for making a facility available for a peaceful gathering. Ologbondiyan argued that the government’s priorities were misplaced, insisting that the same determination displayed in disrupting the rally should instead be directed towards tackling insecurity, banditry and the crushing cost of living.